caffeine and answers

I decided to give up caffeinated coffee this week.  Not really for Lent, more because I’m middle-aged (ugh!) and wonder if it will make any difference.  Surprisingly, I haven’t had one headache and I’m feeling normal.  The only thing I’ve noticed is I am a little touchy, but there could be any number of reasons for that.  Also, by the end of the day I’m out of energy.  Again, there could be reasons for that.  I should mention that I received a very nice Christmas gift from my friend Marylou in Chicago – a large quantity of Starbucks’ decaf.  That has made this decision much easier!  So, anyone with experiencing in going decaf, does it make any positive difference?  Because once the Starbucks is gone, my choices from Latvia are limited.

Today was the first real test.  I went with Henrik and Misha (translator) to visit our non-residential cadets in Daugavpils.  It’s a four hour drive and a highlight of the trip is the coffee shop about half-way there.  I was doing the driving there and after 2 hours of snowy, slushy roads I was ready for coffee.  I nearly caved, but instead had peppermint tea – not the same!  And to make it worse, we stopped there on the way home too.  Mineral water this time.  But, I survived.

About our visit.  We met with the cadets and their corps leader.  It was a very productive meeting.  These cadets are delightful and determined to do this training well.  It was another one of those moments for me, when I felt inadequate to do all that should be done here.  Not only inadequate because of language, but more because I just can’t do it all on my own.  I should be visiting them once or twice a month, but when I looked at my calendar I didn’t see one Sunday when I could get there before June.  It’s not a problem that I can easily fix and no matter how much harder I might work, I cannot be in two places at once (I know that comes as no surprise to you, but it would really help me.)  There are many other things I should be doing to make their training program the most effective.  Of course, that’s true of the whole program.  Honestly, the more I get into it the more I’m aware of what I should be doing.  I don’t mean to be complaining.  There is plenty to be joyful about and I’m having fun.  It’s just something you can pray about – the solution is beyond me.  Because I do realize that, I’m still feeling peaceful – just seeking some answers.  Anyone have one?